Bethlehem lockdown

Dawn today

Another weekend is on. With dark political and social clouds looming overhead. Bethlehem is officially closed from today. Most of the northern section of Palestine were already under lockdown last week. Palestine has seen an infection rise of 300 cases a day. And its decision to lockdown was quick and decisive. No ifs, no buts. It's tough ... but necessary and majority of the people agree. We cannot afford to let more people die just because a few selfish individuals don't abide by the law and spread the virus around.

In Israel though, it's not quite the same. Infection rates fell from 600+ to 300+ yesterday but still it's no lesser than Palestine. Still the authorities in Israel are unable to come up with a plan to contain the contagion. Everyone is confused, waiting and scared ... or couldn't care less anymore. Thousands came out to march against the PM on Saturday night ... breaking distancing rules. But the police did nothing. They did arrest a former military general, I think, one of the organizers of the march. That drew a backlash nationwide ... from both left and right sectors ... as it was a clampdown on freedom of speech. He was quickly released this morning ... but the damage was done.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-protest-against-corruption-outside-pms-jerusalem-residence/?fbclid=IwAR0z8vCxXEC5E1BWgB0VI-fGO0VhyYr9wyP2pumBT8GzuN8EA4yCqnRaWcU

Looking towards East Jerusalem

And to top this, the threatened annexation of parts of Palestine will take place on July 1st ... drawing more tension and debate. We who live in East Jerusalem don't know what to expect ... except for the worse. East Jerusalem was already annexed in 1967. Now the new annexation will include more land from the east. I guess part of the closure of our street is a pre-emptive measure against the possible riots once the annexation starts.

Well being Sunday today, the day started early at 2.30am with coughing out the phlegm. Started to work by throwing our the trash first. Then watering the flowers in the courtyard and terrace. Then eating some cornflakes for breakfast at 5am .... study for an hour  then preparing for Mass. Mass was more crowded than usual. 2 FMM nuns came and a whole host of White fathers seminarians and 2 priests. It made the Mass more solemn. I hope next week will be the same.